With the climate crisis, technological disruption, and rising inequality threatening the well-being of present and Future Generations, the UN Summit for the Future (22-23 September, 2024), became a pivotal moment for reinforcing intergenerational justice and sustainability, and to reinvigorate multilateralism and international cooperation.
The outcome document, known as the “Pact for the Future,” covers key areas like sustainable development, international peace and security, science and technology, youth, and global governance. It also emphasizes the importance of digital cooperation, youth engagement, and reforming the international financial architecture to address these issues.
A dedicated section on Future Generations outlines principles and commitments for ensuring the well-being of those yet to be born. As the European Union (EU) considers its own role in addressing global challenges, the time has come to embed the protection of Future Generations into its legal and institutional frameworks.
The UN Summit and the Pact for the Future – A Blueprint for Intergenerational Justice
The Pact for the Future represents an unprecedented global effort to safeguard the rights of Future Generations. Anchored in the principle of intergenerational justice, the Pact calls for policies that ensure today’s decisions do not compromise the well-being of tomorrow’s citizens. The Declaration on Future Generations, annexed to the Pact, outlines guiding principles such as long-term thinking, sustainability, and the precautionary principle to mitigate harm to Future Generations.
At the heart of this effort is the need to integrate Future Generations’ perspectives into all levels of decision-making. These principles closely align with the Fit for Future Generations’ advocacy for an EU interinstitutional declaration, which would enshrine the rights of Future Generations in European policy making and European law. By adopting this declaration, the EU would ensure that long-term consequences are a central consideration in its policies, promoting a legacy of sustainability and fairness for Future Generations.
Strengthening Global and EU Governance with a Future Generations Commissioner
In a historic move, the European Commission is poised to appoint its first Commissioner tasked with ensuring intergenerational fairness. In September 2024, President Ursula von der Leyen presented the list of commissioners-designate, and Maltese politician Glenn Micallef was nominated to oversee a portfolio that includes intergenerational fairness, youth, culture, and sport. This development signals a significant step forward in embedding long-term thinking into the EU’s governance, directly aligning with global efforts outlined in the Pact for the Future.
Micallef’s mandate, as described in his Mission Letter, places a strong emphasis on ensuring that decisions taken today are made with Future Generations in mind. Micallef will not only serve as an advocate for the youth but also as a guardian of Future Generations, bridging the gap between today’s urgent challenges and the long-term sustainability goals highlighted in the Pact for the Future.
The creation of this post is a direct response to growing concerns about short-termism in policymaking, and it mirrors the UN Summit’s call for stronger institutional mechanisms that prioritize long-term governance and strategic foresight. Micallef’s appointment provides an opportunity for the EU to lead by example, integrating the protection of Future Generations into its decision-making processes and ensuring that intergenerational equity becomes a core principle of European governance.
Integrating Future Generations’ Impact Assessments into Lawmaking
Another critical action in the Pact for the Future is the emphasis on strategic foresight and the incorporation of long-term impact assessments into national and international policies. The Fit for Future Generations coalition has long advocated for the introduction of Future Generations’ Impact Assessments within the EU’s Better Regulation Guidelines. By including these assessments, policymakers can evaluate the long-term effects of new laws and regulations on Future Generations, ensuring that immediate benefits do not come at the cost of future harm.
The Pact for the Future recognizes that GDP alone is an insufficient metric for progress, calling for additional indicators that measure the well-being of both current and Future Generations. This aligns with Fit for Future Generations’ push for a more holistic approach to policy making, one that incorporates intergenerational justice.
Climate Action and the Rights of Future Generations
Perhaps the most urgent message from the Summit is the need for transformative climate action. The Pact for the Future lays out ambitious targets, including tripling global renewable energy capacity and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies by 2030. These commitments reflect the precautionary principle embedded in the Declaration on Future Generations, which calls for preventive measures to protect the planet for future inhabitants.
The climate crisis is the most profound threat to Future Generations, and policies enacted today will determine the world they inherit. Existing scientific research shows that considering Future Generations can increase public support for robust climate policies. The EU must take this opportunity to lead by example, reinvigorating its climate strategies and aligning with the Pact’s global objectives.
Conclusion: Building a Europe Fit for Future Generations
The outcomes of the UN Summit for the Future offer a powerful vision for the world we must strive to build—a world where the rights of Future Generations are safeguarded, and policies reflect the long-term consequences of today’s decisions. For Europe, this means seizing the opportunity to embed intergenerational justice into its governance frameworks.
Through strong advocacy and concrete institutional reforms, the EU can help ensure that the commitments made at the UN Summit are not just words on paper but the foundation of a sustainable, just, and equitable future. It’s time to build a Europe fit for Future Generations—one that honours its responsibility to those who will inherit the world we create today.
Lisbon, September 25th, 2024
João José Fernandes, Oikos – Cooperação e Desenvolvimento